Arthur Ashe's dream of a tennis champion rising from the dusty township of Soweto has been rekindled with the opening of the revamped Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Jabavu.
Built 30 years ago, it was financed by a donation from the American tennis legend. However, the centre was neglected and under-used, eventually decaying. But thanks to the City of Johannesburg, the community of Jabavu, the South African Tennis Association (Sata), the National Lotteries Board and the Gauteng government, a brand-new clubhouse and eight tennis courts now add to the Jabavu mixed-use precinct.
At the official opening of the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre on Saturday, 31 March, the new tennis courts were a hive of activity. Scores of children, aged five to 10, were running, dodging and throwing tennis balls. For many it was the first time that they had "played tennis" on real tennis courts.
Soweto sporting legends, the member of the mayoral committee for community development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza; and the Gauteng MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture, Barbara Creecy attended the ceremony. Speaking at the event, Arthur Ashe's widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, said it was a very special occasion for her and for the man who had dedicated his life to fighting social injustice.
"In 1976, Arthur felt compelled to build a tennis court in a township where underprivileged and sidelined people stayed. Today a tennis court welcomes people of every race to enjoy tennis. 14 years after Arthur's death this is a victory for all nations in the fight against injustice and a victory for all people who fought against ignorance."
Ashe was the first black man to win the US Open and Wimbledon tennis competitions; he was also a spirited anti-apartheid protester. In 1963, he became the first African-American to be selected to play for the United States tennis team in the Davis Cup. In 1983, Ashe underwent heart surgery, after which he learned that he was HIV-positive. He died in 1993.
Upgrading of the centre cost R4,5-million, and it now boasts new ablution facilities and separate restrooms for umpires. A clubhouse with bar facilities and a lounge leading to a terrace overlooking the courts has been added.
Representing Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, Mayathula-Khoza said this was a truly unique celebration of the life of Ashe. After years of isolation from the international sporting community, South Africa was now a sporting powerhouse.
"Arthur wanted to dispel the myth that tennis is a sport for the elite by building a tennis court in Soweto. As the City we will make sure the centre is kept in pristine condition and not fall back to a state of neglect again," she said.
Mayathula-Khoza added that the City had undertaken to appoint a full-time on-site caretaker and provide the necessary maintenance and security, including perimeter fencing.
Having added R1-million to the tennis centre's refurbishment, Creecy said it was important that the provincial government fund such projects in previously disadvantaged areas. It had spent over half-a-billion rand developing sports facilities in such areas but, in most cases, these facilities had not received the necessary attention and were now in a state of disrepair.
"However, what impressed me about this project is the total commitment from the community. The community bought into the project and the dedication displayed by the councillor of the area in building this flagship project has convinced us that this is going to be a sustainable project from inception."
To cheers from the crowd, Creecy said Sata was planning to introduce a development programme at the centre and the provincial government was committed to contributing 50 percent of its running costs "as long as she was MEC for sports in Gauteng".
The ultimate goal of the new tennis academy was for Soweto to produce its own Arthur Ashe, said Iain Smith, the Sata chief executive. "International and national coaching clinics will be conducted at the centre and my word to the community is to please use the facility, enjoy it and take care of it."
Bongani Zondi, councillor in the area, said that during the centre's refurbishment, 90 percent of the labour came from the region. He commended the National Lotto Distribution Fund for providing the bulk of the funds – R3,5-million – and Sata for its support during the construction work.
"The tennis centre complements the existing library and skills development centre in the precinct, which were built at a cost of R9-million and R4,2-million respectively. This precinct is the pride of Jabavu."
Zondi said that the first tournament at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre, the Soweto Open, would be held on 27 April.
Article courtesy of City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za).
Readers' Comments
Have a comment or question about this article? Tell us about it..
Get up-to-date property news
Would you like to receive free weekly news and information about property in South Africa? Click here to sign up for Property24's Week in Review.
Property News
Click here for more property news articles or sign up now for our free news SMSs twice a day.
Need a blog?
Start your own blog with a free blog from 24.com.
